At the robotics and maintenance lab of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA), applied research is focused on supporting the digitalisation of Dutch industry. Within this lab environment, researchers and students work with real physical systems to develop, test, and validate algorithms that predict machine behaviour and optimise industrial processes. To do this effectively, the lab relies on mobile robotics platforms that are flexible, reliable, and ready to be deployed in realistic, industrially relevant scenarios.
A ready platform for applied robotics
The Avular Origin One provides the HvA robotics lab state-of-the-art platforms for applied robotics research. Rather than building a complete ecosystem from scratch, researchers can focus directly on developing and testing advanced use cases such as autonomous inspection at industrial partner sites.The platform’s open architecture allows teams to experiment freely, while maintaining the robustness required for applied research.
“Autonomous inspection is already complex. With the Origin, we can work with a ready platform that supports these inspection tasks in real-world environments.” — Researcher & teacher, HvA
Fast onboarding for students
For students working in the robotics lab, Avular Origin acts as both a learning and development platform. Its ROS-based setup, clear APIs, and extensive documentation allow students to get started quickly and with confidence. This enables students to focus on solving robotics challenges rather than dealing with tooling complexity.
Challenging projects with real-world relevance
Within the lab, students work on challenging projects that simulate real-world logistics and inspection tasks. One such challenge involved using the Origin to autonomously transport coffee and packages between floors, requiring navigation, elevator interaction using a robotic arm, panel recognition, and multi-floor mapping.
From applied research to industrial impact
By working with the Origin One platforms in an applied research environment, the Hogeschool van Amsterdam and Avular shorten the path from experimentation to practical deployment. The platform provides a flexible foundation on which solutions can be developed, tested, and refined together with industry partners—ensuring that outcomes are directly applicable in real-world industrial environments.